8 Practical Tips and Tricks for Studying Success

Practical Tips and Tricks for Studying Success

BIG Ideas:

  • Creating a schedule, finding the study method that works for you, and studying well before exams can help you avoid all-nighters and added stress.
  • Taking care of your physical and mental well-being can help lead to academic success.
  • Using technology to keep track of tasks can keep you organized and on top of deadlines. 

College life is many things – exciting, rewarding, and So. Much. Fun. It can also be very demanding with studying, paper writing, and of course, finding the time to do all the things you want to do.

So how can you stay on top of all those academic responsibilities?

You can start by reading these tips and tricks that can help you turn your academic To-Dos into Dones:

  1. Create a study schedule. Planner or digital calendar? Use what works for you to block out times in your schedule for studying, reading, and managing assignments. Having a routine can help you stay on top of deadlines and cut down on late-night cramming. Yes!

  2. Find your perfect place to study. Where do you work best? In your dorm? In the quiet of the library? Or is the campus coffee shop where you like to manage the daily grind? Wherever you go, bring along noise-canceling headphones or use focus apps to cut out distracting chatter.

  3. Know how you learn best. Is there a learning technique that works better for you? It could be using flash cards to quiz yourself or partnering with a study buddy to review material. Try out different options to discover your optimal way to learn.

  4. Break down large tasks. Have a large assignment that seems like it’s insurmountable? Instead of trying to get the whole thing done at once, break it into smaller, more manageable chunks that you can get done over time.

  5. Make time to study. Set a timer to study for a set amount of time, such as one hour. Then, when the timer goes off, take a 15-minute break to move around, get a healthy snack, or chat with a friend.

  6. Take care of your physical and mental health. It can play a big role in your success. In fact, according to a study from Inside Higher Ed, participating students said their physical and mental health has adversely impacted their academic success. Some of the factors that contribute to poor physical and mental health include lack of sleep, poor diet, and stress.

  7. Leverage the power of technology. Technology can make so many aspects of life easier, including our academic lives. Apps like Evernote, Grammarly, and Microsoft OneNote can help you organize information and clean up those papers. Just remember to use technology to help you get things done, not distract you.

  8. Prepare for exams in advance. If you have a syllabus, you have a pretty good idea of your exam schedule. Studying at least two weeks before an exam can help you better prepare and avoid stressful cramming. Use flashcards or study groups to prepare – whatever works best for you.

Taking care of your responsibilities and your well-being can help you take charge of your workload and make the most of this exciting, rewarding, and fun time in your life.